GROW
Grow is a training curriculum, a programme and a
philosophy of youth empowerment.
Developed with rural youth over the last 10 years in response to unemployment, we have demonstrated that young people can create sustainable businesses without external injection of capital.
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Innovative training tools to unlock personal agency
Based on the Asset Based Community Development philosophy, Grow empowers young people to realise they can create businesses from the opportunities and resources around them. Experience a taste of Grow with The Danger of a Single Story…
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Accessible and cost effective delivery model for the hard to reach
Grow sessions are brought direct to young people’s neighbourhoods, making it easier for young women to attend around household responsibilities. Sessions are designed for a low literacy context and are activity-based and rooted in local stories.
High quality and relevant training alone (without financial incentives) attracts young people’s participation and keeps costs low, to enable scale.
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Combining Grow with design thinking super charges Youth Savings and Loans Associations (YSLAs)
Community Savings Groups are a force for change across Tanzania creating vital access to savings and credit for marginalised community members. Groups typically attract older women - youth are hesitant to join as they have no reliable income. As Grow unlocks young people’s confidence to start businesses it also catalyses youth engagement in YSLAs.
11,379 young people trained, 76% women
$271,000 saved in YSLAs by 3,644 members
Grow Street
Using design thinking, we adapted YSLAs for street youth, demonstrating untapped demand for financial services and the power of Grow in empowering young people to set and achieve life goals even in the most difficult of circumstances.
“I am now able to comfortably rest and wake up in the morning refreshed and rejuvenated for the work of the day. I always want to come out of my room looking clean; I don’t want my neighbours to see me looking rough and look down at me. I want them to respect me. ”
“I have been able to provide bus fares, exercise books, and pocket money to two siblings. I feel good supporting them, and I want them to succeed in their educational journey. I take the role of a father to my siblings because our fathers are not responsible, so I feel obliged to take care of some of their needs.”
5,613,100/= deposited by street connected youth into the Malengo Savings Scheme in 8 months
78 young people moved from the streets to safer accommodation
30 reunited with their families, 34 rented a room, 14 moved to a centre
Innovative organisational model for sustainability and national scale
RLabs is diversifying its revenue streams to ensure organisational sustainability and leverage opportunities for impact in partnership with NGOs and businesses.
Grow is now available as a complete and customised package for NGOs to integrate Grow into their programmes, including training of trainers, on-site support visits and customised curriculum.
2027 Goals
15,000 young people empowered by Grow, especially young women and street youth
Over $1 million generated and saved in Youth Savings and Loans Associations
Delivery model through partners established with 5+ active partners delivering high quality Grow
Media version of Grow designed, with videos and interactive content to support national scaling
